About
Mission Statement
Global Studies is a pan-University program comprised of five vibrant, diverse, and interwoven learning communities re-imagining undergraduate education in the 21st century. The innovative and interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts curriculum prepares students to assess and navigate complex social, political, and economic systems. They connect with local communities, institutions, and places, in order to imagine flourishing futures for particularly and differently situated people in communities, locally and globally. Students critically examine and engage pressing global conditions while questioning the “global,” particularly in relation to knowledge production, power, and perspective. Interdisciplinary learning illuminates interconnected human and natural systems—from the local to the planetary.
The Global Studies Program works to support the struggles of politically and economically oppressed peoples in the US and around the world through pedagogy, programing, diversification of faculty, and engagement in the larger University and local communities. We condemn police brutality and support those who protest against, and work to overturn, racial and related forms of inequality. While statements are insufficient actions to meet the challenges of our times, they are necessary steps that we take as an organization in solidarity with movements to reform our world in more just terms.
Structure
The interdisciplinary Global Studies major is comprised of five concentrations: Global Commerce in Culture and Society (GCCS), Global Development Studies (GDS), Global Environments and Sustainability (GSVS), Global Public Health (GPH), and Global Security and Justice (GSSJ).
UVA students may apply to this competitive program after their first or second year. Explore the concentration websites to learn more about our faculty and curriculum. When you are ready to apply, visit our admissions page for instructions. Please contact Director of Global Studies, Prof. Phoebe Crisman, or the Director of each track if you have questions.
Curriculum
| GLOBAL COMMERCE IN CULTURE AND SOCIETY (GCCS) | GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (GDS) | GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS & SUSTAINABILITY (GSVS) | GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH (GPH) | GLOBAL SECURITY & JUSTICE (GSSJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-requisites GSGS 2000 Intro to GS ECON 2010, 2020, or 3010 |
Pre-requisites GSGS 2000 Intro to GS One (1) course in Methods or Quantitative |
Pre-requisites GSGS 2000 Intro to GS One (1) course in Methods or Quantitative |
GSGS 2000 Intro to GS | GSGS 2000 Intro to GS |
| Track Foundation GCCS 3010 Global Commerce |
Track Foundation GDS 3010 Global Development |
Track Foundation GSVS/ARCH 2150 Global Sustainability |
Track Foundation PHS 3825 GPH: Challenges Innovations |
Track Foundation GSSJ 3010 Global Security and Justice |
| Core GCCS 3100 Studying Global Commerce One (1) course in Soc/Cultural Analysis One (1) course in Political Economy |
Core GDS 3100 Development on the Ground GSGS 4200 Applied Research Methods |
Core RELG 2210 Religion& Glbl. Environments GSGS 3330 Ecol. Econ or ECON 3430 GSVS 3310 Sustainability Policy |
Core PHS 4050 Public Health Policy Three (3) courses in Global History, Humanities, Cultures, or Diagnostics |
Core One (1) course in Global History One (1) course in Global Soc/Cultures One (1) course in Global Diagnostics |
| Methodologies Two (2) courses in Prof. Writing, Data Analysis, or Comp. Programming |
N/A | N/A | Methodologies One (1) course from list or an approved substitute: PHS 3102, PHS 3104, PHS 3130, PHS 3620, PHS 5621, PHS 5015 |
N/A |
| Electives Three (3) courses - chosen in consultation with advisor |
Electives Six (6) courses - chosen in consultation with advisor |
Electives Three (3) courses in Environment One (1) course in Equity One (1) course in Economy & Policy |
Electives Three (3) courses - chosen in consultation with advisor |
Electives Five (5) courses - chosen in consultation with advisor |
| Capstone GSVS 4991 Fourth Year/Capstone Seminar |
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| Language Course beyond 2020 level or a new language up to 1020 level |
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Download the Global Studies Major at-a-glance:
Leadership
Program Director
Phoebe Crisman, AIA is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Virginia, where she teaches design studios and lectures on architectural theory, urbanism and sustainability. Crisman has directed the pan-university Global Studies program since 2019. In addition, she directs the Global Environments + Sustainability concentration within Global Studies, the Minor in Global Sustainability, and the larger Global Sustainability Initiative.
Concentration/Track Directors
Laura Goldblatt | Global Commerce in Culture & Society
David Edmunds | Global Development Studies
Phoebe Crisman | Global Environments & Sustainability
Katy Quissell | Global Public Health
Tayyab Safdar | Global Security & Justice
Contact Us
Global Studies Main Office
Global Grounds
Hotel A, 1 West Range
P.O. Box 400282
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Phone: 434-924-9742
Email: globalstudies@virginia.edu